Serbian Church rejects claims of govt. intervention

(B92) - These are malicious imputations aimed at compromise the Church," it has been stressed at the SPC seat.

Neither Patriarch Irinej, nor anyone from the top of the SPC are in any way involved in appointments in the Serbian government. The selection of prime minister and ministers, is not the purview of the Church nor is it in accordance with its mission. The aim of these false news about "favoring" one and "obstructing" other candidates is damaging to the Serbian Churche.

This is the response of the SPC Patriarchate to the public speculation about the alleged lobbying by the patriarch and some dignitaries in favor of certain politicians who are seen as prime minister. The office of the head of the Serbian Orthodox Church emphasized that his holiness is not dealing with this issue in any way.

The Patriarchate also stated that the Church, through no fault of its own, found itself in the speculation about the future prime minister. In recent weeks, information emerged in the public that the top of the SPC was reportedly opposed to Ana Brnabic in the role, and that some influential bishops are in favor of the job going to Ivica Dacic.

"The Church neither wants to, nor can interfere in the selection of state officials," the cabinet of the Serbian patriarch concluded.